Building information modeling (bim) data model for construction infrastructure

Abstract

A method for dynamic modeling of infrastructure projects over time, the method including receiving an infrastructure project design comprising: at least one of a three-dimensional view of an infrastructure project to be built and a set of two dimensional views of the infrastructure project; defining a plurality of design volume-surface-objects (DVSOs), repeatedly imaging the infrastructure project over time during construction thereof to produce multiple images acquired at a plurality of different times, automatically generating a point cloud representing the infrastructure project at each of the plurality of different times, automatically generating a plurality of as-built volume-surface-objects (ABVSOs), each of the ABVSOs corresponding to one of the plurality of DVSOs, and employing the ABVSOs and the DVSOs for constructing and managing the infrastructure project.

1 . A method for dynamic modeling of infrastructure projects over time, the method comprising:
 receiving an infrastructure project design comprising:   at least one of a three-dimensional view of an infrastructure project to be built and a set of two-dimensional views of said infrastructure project; and   material layer defining information relating to said infrastructure project;   defining a plurality of design volume-surface-objects (DVSOs), each corresponding to a material layer of said infrastructure project;   ascertaining at least a volume of each of said DVSOs;   repeatedly imaging said infrastructure project over time during construction thereof to produce multiple images acquired at a plurality of different times;   automatically generating a point cloud representing said infrastructure project at each of said plurality of different times, based on said images, said point cloud including multiple points each having known Cartesian coordinates;   automatically generating a surface mapping representing said infrastructure project at each of said plurality of different times, based on said point clouds;   automatically generating a plurality of as-built volume-surface-objects (ABVSOs), each based on a pair of said surface mappings, each of said ABVSOs corresponding to one of said plurality of DVSOs; and   employing said ABVSOs and said DVSOs for constructing and managing said infrastructure project.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said set of two-dimensional views comprises:
 at least one horizontal alignment view of said infrastructure project;   at least one vertical alignment view of said infrastructure project; and   a multiplicity of sectional views taken perpendicular to said at least one horizontal view.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , and wherein said employing said ABVSOs and said DVSOs for constructing and managing said infrastructure project comprises at least one of:
 providing control instructions to construction machinery used in constructing said infrastructure project;   accounting and paying for at least one of excavating and moving earth for constructing said infrastructure project;   accounting and paying for materials used in said infrastructure project;   monitoring progress of said infrastructure project vis-à-vis a predetermined schedule; and   monitoring progress of said infrastructure project vis-à-vis a pre-defined design.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , and also comprising graphically representing said infrastructure project at each of said plurality of different times. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said imaging comprises at least one of photographing by a camera and laser scanning. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , and also comprising employing RTK GPS positioning techniques to enhance a precision of said multiple points comprising said point cloud. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said defining a plurality of DVSOs comprising automatically defining at least one DVSO and automatically defining within said a least one DVSO sub-DVSOs included in said at least one DVSO. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , and also comprising assigning at least one parameter to said at least one DVSO, said sub-DVSOs included in said at least one DVSO automatically inheriting said at least one parameter from said at least one DVSO. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said assigning at least one parameter comprises at least one of assignation of a sub-contractor contracted to construct said at least one DVSO, assignation of scheduled start date for construction of said at least one DVSO, assignation of a scheduled completion date for construction of said at least one DVSO, and assignation of an identification number of said at least one DVSO. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , and also comprising importing at least one modeled finite element to be located at a location within said infrastructure project, from an external Building Information Modelling (BIM) platform having modeled said finite element to said plurality of DVSOs, and incorporating said at least one finite element within ones of said plurality of DVSOs corresponding to said location. 
     
     
         11 . A system for dynamic modeling of infrastructure projects over time, the system comprising:
 a project design generator operative to generate an infrastructure project design comprising:   at least one of a three-dimensional view of an infrastructure project to be built and a set of two-dimensional views of said infrastructure project; and   material layer defining information relating to said infrastructure project;   a design volume-surface-objects (DVSOs) generator operative to define a plurality of DVSOs, each corresponding to a material layer of said infrastructure project;   a DVSO geometrical property calculator operative to ascertain at least one geometrical property of each of said DVSOs;   an image generator operative to repeatedly image said infrastructure project over time during construction thereof to produce multiple images acquired at a plurality of different times;   a point cloud generator operative to automatically generate a point cloud representing said infrastructure project at each of said plurality of different times, based on said images, said point cloud including multiple points each having known Cartesian coordinates;   a surface mapping generator operative to automatically generate a surface mapping representing said infrastructure project at each of said plurality of different times, based on said point clouds;   an As-Built Volume-Surface Object generator operative to automatically generate a plurality of as-built volume-surface-objects (ABVSOs), each based on a pair of said surface mappings, each of said ABVSOs corresponding to one of said plurality of DVSOs; and   project construction and management functionality operative to employ said ABVSOs and said DVSOs for constructing and managing said infrastructure project.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said set of two-dimensional views comprises:
 at least one horizontal alignment view of said infrastructure project;   at least one vertical alignment view of said infrastructure project; and   a multiplicity of sectional views taken perpendicular to said at least one horizontal view.   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , and wherein said project construction and management functionality is operative to at least one of:
 provide control instructions to construction machinery used in constructing said infrastructure project;   account and pay for at least one of excavating and moving earth for constructing said infrastructure project;   account and pay for materials used in said infrastructure project;   monitor progress of said infrastructure project vis-à-vis a predetermined schedule; and   monitor progress of said infrastructure project vis-à-vis a pre-defined design.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11 , and wherein said project construction and management functionality also comprises project reporting functionality operative to graphically represent said infrastructure project at each of said plurality of different times. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said image generator comprises at least one of a camera and a laser scanner. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said image generator comprises RTK GPS positioning equipment. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said DVSO generator is operative to automatically define at least one DVSO and to automatically define within said a least one DVSO sub-DVSOs included in said at least one DVSO. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , and also comprising DVSO parameter assigning functionality operative to assign at least one parameter to said at least one DVSO, said sub-DVSOs included in said at least one DVSO automatically inheriting said at least one parameter from said at least one DVSO. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein said DVSO parameter assigning functionality being operative to assign at least one parameter to said at least one DVSO comprises at least one of assignation of a sub-contractor contracted to construct said at least one DVSO, assignation of scheduled start date for construction of said at least one DVSO, assignation of a scheduled completion date for construction of said at least one DVSO, and assignation of an identification number of said at least one DVSO. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein said system is further operative to import at least one modeled finite element to be located at a location within said infrastructure project, from an external Building Information Modelling (BIM) platform having modeled said finite element to said plurality of DVSOs, and to incorporate said at least one finite element within ones of said plurality of DVSOs corresponding to said location. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 1 , and also comprising associating at least one parameter with at least one of said DVSOs, said at least one parameter comprising at least one of a task, time schedule, and other information relating to construction of said at least one DVSO. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , and also comprising:
 measuring at least one geometrical property of at least one of said ABVSOs at at least a first time and a second time of said plurality of different times;   comparing said at least one geometrical property of said at least one of said ABVSOs as measured at said at least first and second times; and   automatically monitoring progress of said at least one of said ABVSOs based on said comparing and with respect to said at least one parameter associated with at least one DVSO corresponding to said at least one of said ABVSOs.   
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 11 , and also comprising DVSO parameter assigning functionality operative to associate at least one parameter with at least one of said DVSOs, said at least one parameter comprising at least one of a task, time schedule, and other information relating to construction of said at least one DVSO. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 23 , and also comprising an ABVSO geometrical property calculator operative to measure at least one geometrical property of at least one of said ABVSOs at at least a first time and a second time of said plurality of different times;
 said project construction and management functionality being additionally operative to:   perform a comparison of said at least one geometrical property of said at least one of said ABVSOs as measured at said at least first and second times, and   automatically monitor progress of said at least one of said ABVSOs based on said comparison and with respect to said at least one parameter associated with at least one DVSO corresponding to said at least one of said ABVSOs.